 Gabrielle near its peak intensity on 10 February | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 5 February 2023 |
| Subtropical | 11 February 2023 |
| Dissipated | 16 February 2023 |
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (BOM) | |
| Highest winds | 150 km/h (90 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 959 hPa (mbar); 28.32 inHg |
| Category 4 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (FMS) | |
| Highest winds | 165 km/h (105 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 958 hPa (mbar); 28.29 inHg |
| Category 2-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 165 km/h (105 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 958 hPa (mbar); 28.29 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 11 direct, 1 indirect |
| Missing | 1 |
| Damage | ≥$8.4 billion (2023 USD) (Costliest tropical cyclone in the Southern Hemisphere) |
| Areas affected | Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Norfolk Island, New Zealand (especially North Island) |
| IBTrACS / [1] | |
Part of the 2022–23 South Pacific and Australian region cyclone seasons | |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle was a destructive tropical cyclone that devastated parts of the North Island of New Zealand and affected parts of Vanuatu and Australia in February 2023. It is the costliest tropical cyclone on record in the Southern Hemisphere, with total damages estimated to be at least NZ$13.5 billion (US$8.4 billion),[2] of which the cost of insured damage is at least NZ$1.79 billion (US$1.1 billion).[3] The total cost in the Hastings District alone is estimated to surpass NZ$2 billion (US$1.25 billion).[4] It was also the deadliest cyclone and weather event overall to hit New Zealand since Cyclone Giselle in 1968, surpassing Cyclone Bola in 1988.[5][6][7] The fifth named storm of the 2022–23 Australian region cyclone season, and the first severe tropical cyclone of the 2022–23 South Pacific cyclone season, Gabrielle was first noted as a developing tropical low on 6 February 2023, while it was located on the south of the Solomon Islands, before it was classified as a tropical cyclone and named Gabrielle by the Bureau of Meteorology. The system peaked as a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone before moving into the South Pacific basin, then rapidly degenerated into a subtropical low on 11 February 2023.
Norfolk Island was placed under a red alert as Gabrielle approached, while heavy rain and wind warnings were issued across the North Island of New Zealand. Existing states of emergency in Auckland and the Coromandel due to recent floods were extended, and new states of emergency were declared in other areas. The cyclone impacted New Zealand from 11 to 17 February, with a national state of emergency being declared on 14 February 2023. All states of emergency had been lifted by 14 March.[8]
- ^ Howie, Cherie. "Cyclone Gabrielle: Hawke's Bay and Gisborne latest updates – grim warning over death toll; thieves target cellphone generator sites". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ Sowden, Briony (19 March 2023). "Cyclone Gabrielle: The New Zealand flood victims too scared to go home". BBC News. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ Deirdre (18 March 2024). "Gabrielle and Auckland Anniversary claims settlements top 90%". ICNZ | Insurance Council of New Zealand. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ "Hastings post-cyclone recovery bill set to top $2 billion". 1 News. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
- ^ Whyte, Anna (19 February 2023). "Cyclone Gabrielle: PM warns tough calls to come as resilience 'tested like never before'". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
- ^ Brettkelly, Sharon (13 February 2023). "Cyclone Gabrielle: What makes this storm so unique?". RNZ. The Detail. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ "Cyclone Gabrielle damage worse than Bola – farmer". RNZ. 18 February 2023. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
- ^ Gourley, Erin (13 March 2023). "Cyclone Gabrielle: National state of emergency ends on Tuesday". Stuff. Retrieved 21 March 2023.